Electromagnetic switch



April 1946- H. E. SCHLEICHER 2,399,575

ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH Filed May 6, 1943 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.1 T 1 92 I w |V"4[ 94 75a & K 75a H4 ROL 0 .5 50/14 5/0/51? INVENTOR.

H/S ATTORNEYS April 1946- H. E. SCHLEICHER 2,399,575

ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH Filed May 6, 1943 t5 O 7&2

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 HAROLD E Saw/450mm i //VVE/V7'0/? .50 BY M M HA5 ATTORNEYS ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH Filed May e, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG 7..

750 #49040 E SCHLE/CHER Z6 nvvavroxe HAS ATTORNEYS April 1946- H. 5 SCHLEICHER ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH Filed May 6, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 HAROL 0 E. SCfi/LE/CHL'R INVENTOR.

HA5 ATTORNEYS.

Patented UNITED s'rA'rss PATENT forties a -15' I I llarold'E. Schleicher, West Hartford, Conn., as-

signor to The Arrow-Hart & Hegeman Electric Company, Hartford, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application May 6, 1943, Serial No. 485,929

14 Claims. (01. 200-104) This invention relates to electromagnetic switches. More particularly it relates to certain novel details of construction providing "for straight through wiring; for placing the con-- tacts on the top or front or the device; for reversing connections within the device to enable load wires to enter at either side of the device; for adapting the device to universal mounting or mounting in any position; for making the device more compact than others of the same, capacity or rating. The invention further relates to certain novel details of electromagnet structure providing for quickly detachable electromagnet parts; for slidably mounting the electromagnet field piece; for slotting the armature track to facilitate assembling the electromagnet; and other novel improvements in structure of electromagnetic switch structure, as will more fully appear as the device is described in connection with the drawings.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan view of an electromagnetic switch device embodying my invention;

Fi 21s a left side elevation view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3, 4 and are longitudinal section views taken along lines 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5 of Fig. 1, respectively, a portion of the device being broken away in Figs. 3 and 5;

Figs. 6 and 7 are end elevation views of opposite ends of the device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section view taken along line 88 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the electromagnet and its mounting parts, with the coil omitted for clarity; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a modifled form of means to secure the electromagnet in position.

The device is mounted on a flat plate Ill. An insulating base It is supported directly in front of this back plate and spaced therefrom upon the forward flanges oi parallel, spaced, channelshaped side plates l2, Hi, that are located at opposite sides of the back plate. The rear flanges of the side plates are secured to the back plate.

Between the insulating base I6 and. back plate i0 an electromagnet structure and contact operating mechanism is located. The electromagnet comprises a laminated field piece It, a coil of wire 22, and a T-shaped laminated armature 20 whose leg is slidable between two non-magnetic the field piece through the center of the coil 22,

the tracks being then secured by a cotter pin 34, or like fastener. To keep the armature from then sliding entirely out oi the tracks, a pin 2i extends out from the armature surface into aslot 3| in one 01' the bars 30.

The field piece I8 is supported upon the upper flanges 24a, 26a, of angle plates 24, 2B which have out-turned feet 240, 260, that may slide between the surface of the back plate l0 and guide bars 36 secured on and overlapping the bottom flanges of the side plates I 2, it. The electromagnet structure may thus be slid into place, being guided laterally by the edges of the bottom flanges of the side bars I2 and I4, and above and below by the back plate l0 and guide plates 38.

To secure the electromagnet field piece in position in such manner as to permit its quick assembly or disassembly, aligned apertures 31 (Fig. 2) are provided in the side plates l2 and M to receive the ends of spring-pressed plunger 38 (Fig. 9) movable within bearing cylinders 42 attached to and extending laterally from the end portions of the angle plates 26 that support the field piece. I'he plungers 38 arenormally springpressed outwardly into the apertures but may be retracted by, squeezing toward each other a. pair or angled finger pieces having parallel forwardlyextending finger portions 401, engageable by the fingers of a man's hand, and joined by transverse portions 40h to rearwardly-extending portions "(I which are secured to the inner ends of the plungers. Upon retraction of the plungers. the electromagnet structure may be pulled and slid outoi the switch.

For connecting the armature 20 to operating mechanism for the contacts. connecting links 44 above and below the T-portion of the armature, are secured fixedly on the upper and lower ends of a pivoting pin 46 passing transversely through the laminations of the armature. 'An inverted L- shaped lock bar 48 with a locking Leaf-spring tongue 49 attached to the long leg of the lock bar is slidable through T-slots 44s in the connecting links M and will lock in position (see Figs. 4 and'l) with the locking tongue engaging the inner surface of the connecting links M and the short leg of the lock bar 48 lying on the outer surface of the connecting link 44.

Between the lock bar 48 and the armature 20 is a transverse rod 50 (Fig. 4) of the contact operating mechanism whereby movements of the armature are transmitted to said mechanism as follows: The operating mechanism comprises a pair of parallel triangular metal plates 52 parallel and adjacent to, but spaced from and between the side plates l2, l4, and rigidly connected at one corner to the ends of the rod 50, so that the plates 52 and rod 50 may rock as a unit about a fixed axle 54 that passes through other corners of the plates 52 near and parallel to the back plate I to afford a pivotal mounting for said triangular plates 52. To the third and innermost corners of plates 52 are pivotally connected one end of links 56. whose other ends are pivotally connected to a U-shaped stamped sheet metal bridge bar 58 that extends transversely between the side plates I 2 and I4 (see Fig. 8) and supports, on its transverse or bridging portion, a contact carrying insulating member 66. For guiding the movement of the contact carrier perpendicularly to the base plate I0, a pair of guide posts 60 are mounted in the flanges of the side lay switches I8, preferably of the type disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 340,587, which became Patent No. 2,322,161 on June 15, 1943, are or may be attached to the outside of the sides of the side plates I2 and I4. When the relay switches I8 are used, bus bars 92, 94, may be used to connect two contacts to the terminals 18a of the relay and the other terminal of each relay 180 then becomes a main terminal of the device. The bus bars 92, 94, are so shaped that, on removal, they may be reversed so that termi nal 180 of the right relay may be connected to contact I2 by bus bar 92, and terminal I80 of the left relay may be connected to contact I2 by bus plates I2, I4, at the middle thereof. Sliding on the guide posts are sleeves 92, to whose upper ends the out-turned ends 58a of the contact can rying bridge 58 are aflixed.

Normally urging the sleeves and contact car rier upward to hold the switch in open circuit condition, are coiled springs 64 around the bottom of the posts 60 and resting on the inner flanges of the side plates I 2 and I4 pressing the sleeve away from the base.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, it may be seen that as the armature is attracted, it pulls the rod 50 and plate 52 in clockwisedirectlon about fixed axle 54, thus causing the link 56 to pull toward the back plate the contact-carrying bridge 58 and contact carrier 86. On release of the armature, by deenergization of the electromagnet, the springs 64 pressing on the sleeves 62 cause the bridge 58 and carrier 86 to move from the base, and also cause the armature to be withdrawn partially from the field piece through reverse movement of the operating mechanism.

The reciprocating of the contact carrier causes engagement and disengagement of three parallel movable bridging contacts I0 with three aligned pairs of fixed contacts I2, I4, which are countersunk into and secured on the surface of the insulating base l6 furthest from the back plate. The movable contacts are in the form of metal bars mounted on cylindrical bosses l'ita formed on the contact carrier Square posts Bil extend throu h the bosses and have washers on their ends holding thereon compression springs 69 which press upon the movable contacts to resiliently mount them. Covering the contacts is a hollow hood or cover I6 of insulating material.

The fixed contacts I2, '14, are arranged to have an end of each extend outside their cover and these extending ends are, or may be, secured to the insulating base l6 by hollow internallythreaded rivets, or by bolts, or otherwise, and may be provided with terminals or binding posts for line and load connections. The described arrangement enables straight through wiring, i. e., load wires, to enter or be connected at one end of the device and line wires to be connected at the other end, with the current passing straight through by the three parallel paths afforded by the fixed and movable contact sets (see Fig. 1).

It is frequently desirable to provide overload protection associated with electromagnetic devices. In the present instance, two overload rebar 94. These overload relays have reciprocative plungers that may be depressed to manually reset the relays after an overload has caused their mechanisms to trip open.

For manually resetting the overload relays, means available at the front of the device are provided comprising a U-shaped metal bar 82 straddling the cover or hood I8 and having outturned ends 82a overlying the ends of the relayresetting plungers 80. The resetting bar 82 is preferably provided at its center and at the center of the switch with an insulating resetting button 84 and is resiliently supported in inactive or raised position upon a pair of springs 86 coiled about bolts 88 located at opposite sides of the devices. The bits 89 may have smooth shanks loosely passing through apertures in the bar 82 to permit sliding reciprocative movement thereon by the bar. The bolts also perform the additional function (see Fig. 8) of holding the cover or hood IS in place by reason of the provision of a shoulder engaging the cover I6, so that by merely removing these two bolts 88, the resetting bar 82 and cover 16 may be removed. The bolts thread into the insulating base l6.

In the event the control of auxiliary circuits may be desired, one or more push button switch devices 90 of conventional form and function may be attached to the inner surface of side plates l2 and I I in position for its conventional spring-pressed operating button 92 (Fig. 3) to be engaged and operated by an inturned finger 94a on a plate member 94 parallel to and pivotally mounted on the side plate and having an extension 940 located for operation by and engagement with the out-turned end 58a of the bridge bar 58 that carries and operates the main switch contacts as described.

An alternative method of positioning the electromagnet is illustrated in big. 10, wherein a rod W0 is passed through aligned apertures, such as ill, in the side plates i2 and i4, andthrough similar holes in the supporting angle plates 24 and 26 for the field piece. To hold the rod H20 in place, a cylindrical groove is out near one end to be engaged by the bifurcated end of a U-shaped clip 192 that straddles the end of the side plate 12 to engage the groove in the rod. The bifurcations being slightly resilient and somewhat larger at their ends than at their junction will hold the clip in place and lock the rod I00 and electromagnet I8 in position. One clip will usually suffice, but clips may be applied to both ends it needed.

From the foregoing, it may be observed that I have provided a compact electromagnet structure, in which the contacts are separated by movement of the bridging contact perpendicularly to the base, although the electromagnet operates in a plane parallel to the base and within the same area, as viewed in plan. These details,

aeoaevs j on one side and the line terminals on the other,

which facilitates wiring and circuit arrangements. It also enables easy reversal of connecting elements to overload relays in case such relays are used, whereby the load and line en-.

trance terminals may be reversed without removing the device from its mounting.

It may also be observed that my invention provides for quickly detaching the electromagnet from the device by manipulation of the latching devices and sliding the electromagnet assembly out of its mounting without dismembering any portion of the switch assembly. By this means, the assembling of the device is made less costly and the disassembling of the device for replacement, inspection or repair of assemblies or of parts is made easy. I

The open end arrangement with the contacts on top of the base which is over the electromagnet allows circulation of air to keep the magnet coil from over-heating.

Many modifications within the scope of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore I do not limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulating base spaced from said plate, an electromagnetic device between said base and plate, a plurality of sets of switch contacts on said base, a reciprocating contact carrier below the base and moving between the base and back plate, movable contacts mounted on said carrier, linkage means connecting said carrier with said electromagnet and including, a pair of spaced pivoted members for translating the motion of said electromagnet from one plane to another perpendicular to it for operating said movable contacts, and a transverse member rigidly aillxed to said pivoted members, said electromagnetic device acting on the central portion of said transverse member to move said transverse and pivoted members as a unit.

2. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulating base spaced from'said plate, an electromagnet between said base and plate and operating in a plane parallel to said plate, a plurality of sets of contacts on said base, a plurality of movable contacts engaging said sets and operating means located entirely between said base and plate and pulled by said electromagnet andrnoving said movable contacts in a plane perpendicular to said plate to cause contact engagement, posts on said back plate guiding the movement 01 said contacts, and spring means operative on deenergization 01' said magnet to disengage said contacts.

3. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulating base spaced from said plate, an electromagnet between said baseand plate and operating in a plane parallel to said plate, a plurality oi sets of contacts on the upper suri'ace of said base, insulating supporting means for the movable contacts extending through said base,

said contacts being shielded from the electromagnet by said base and supporting means, and operating means located entirely below said base and extending through said base and operated by said electromagnet. a plurality of movable contacts engageable with said sets, said operating means moving said movable contacts in a plane perpendicular to said plate to cause contact engagement, and spring means operative on deenergization 01 said magnet to disengage said contacts.

4. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulating base spaced from said plate, a

plurality oi sets of switch contacts, an electromagnet between said base and plate, means guiding the sliding movement of said electromagnetic device parallel to the back plate in or from its position beneath said base, manually detachable connecting means for quickly attaching and detaching said electromagnet in and from its position between said plate and base, said connecting means including manually operable resilient means which in normal condition locks the magnet in place.

5. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulating base spaced from said plate, a plurality 01' sets of switch contacts, an electroma net comprising an armature and field piece between said base and plate, manually detachable connecting'means for quickly attaching and detaching said armature and field piece in and from position between said plate and base, said connecting means including manually operable selfmagnet movable parallel to said back plate into an operative position between said base and plate, manually detachable connecting means for quickly attaching and detaching said electromagnet in and from said position, said connecting means including a lock bar and clip combination which normally lock the magnet in position, said clip and bar being manually removable to permit removal oi. the magnet.

7. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulating base spaced from said plate, a plurality of sets 0! switch contacts, an electromagnet between said base and plate, means on said plate and magnet to guide said magnet slidably parallel to said back plate into position during assembly, manually detachable connecting means for quickly attaching and detaching said electromagnet in and from its position within the switch, said connecting means including manually operable resilient means which in normal condition locks the magnet in place.

8. In an electromagnetic switch, a baci plate, an insulating base spaced from said plate, an electromagnetic device comprising a field piece and an armature between said base and plate, a plurality of sets of switch contacts operated by said electromagnet, means on said plate and magnetic device to guide said magnet slidably into position while the remainder of the device remains assembled.

9. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulating base spaced from said plate, an electromagnetic device between said base and plate, a plurality oi sets of switch contacts operated by said electromagnet comprising a separate armature and field piece, means on said plate and magnetic device to guide said magnet slidably parallel to said back plate into position as a unit while the remainder of the device remains assembled, and manually-releasable sell-locking means to secure the magnetic device when it comes into position.

10. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulatin base spaced from said plate; an electromagnetic device between said base and plate and operating in a plane parallel to said plate, a plurality of sets of contacts on said base, a plurality of movable contacts engageable with said sets, operating means operated by said electromagnetic device and located entirely between the base and back plate and moving said movable contacts in a plane perpendicular to said plate, a movable transverse support beneath said base for certain of said contacts and operating through the base to move them, and guide posts on said back plate guiding the movement of said support.

11. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulating base spaced from said plate, an electromagnetic device between said base and plate, a plurality of sets of contacts on the upper surface of said base, a plurality of movable contacts engageable with said sets, said fixed and movable contacts being directly above said electromagnetic device, a supporting bar beneath said base moving between said electromagnet and base, means on said bar for insulatingly supporting the movable contacts and cooperating with said base to form a continuous insulating wall between aid electromagnetic device and said contacts, and means operating said bar by said electromagnetic device, and stationary insulating means forming an enclosed arcing chamber separate from and unconnected with the area around said electromagnetic device.

12. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulating base spaced from said plate, an electromagnetic device between said base and plate moving in a plane parallel to said plate, a plurality of sets of contacts on the upper surface of said base, a plurality of movable contacts engageable with said sets, a supporting bar beneath said base and moving between said electromagnet and base, means on said bar for insulatingly supporting the movable contacts to operate the movable contacts through the base, and means operating said bar comprising a pair of pivoted members, a transverse bar rigidly aillxed to said pivoted members, said electromagnetic device acting on the central portion of said transverse member to move said pivoted members as a unit.

13. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulating base spaced from said plate, an electromagnetic device between said base and plate and operating in a plane parallel to said plate, a plurality of sets of contacts on said base, a plurality of movable contacts engageable with said sets, operating means located between said base and plate entirely and operated by said electromagnetic device and moving said contacts in a plane perpendicular to said plate, and guide posts below the base mounted on said back plate for guiding the movement oi! said contacts.

14. In an electromagnetic switch, a back plate, an insulating base spaced from said plate, an electromagnetic device between said base and plate, a plurality of sets oi. contacts on the upper surface of said base, a plurality of movable contacts engageable with said sets, said fixed and movable contacts being directly above said elec tromagnetic device, a supporting bar beneath said base moving between said electromagnet and said base, means on said bar for insulatingly supporting the movable contacts and cooperating with said base to form a continuous insulating wall between said electromagnetic device and said contacts, and means operating said bar by said electromagnetic device.

HAROLD E. SCHLEICHER 

